Opportunity Knocks
J. Najor & Sons Photography was one of the Chaldean businesses that lined 7 Mile Road in Chaldean Town.
Why Chaldean Immigrants chose Metro Detroit
By Matthew Jamil
The early 1900s marked the “Progressive Era” in the United States, a period known for welcoming more than 15 million immigrants over 15 years. These newcomers came from around the world, with a significant portion hailing from non-English-speaking European countries. Among them were some of the earliest Chaldean immigrants, arriving during this time—or, in the case of Zia Atala, even a bit earlier.
Zia, believed to be the first Chaldean to move to the U.S., arrived through Ellis Island in 1889. He settled in Philadelphia, working at a hotel where he learned the hospitality industry. After earning enough money, he returned to Iraq and used his knowledge to open his own hotel.
But Zia didn’t just bring hotel expertise back to Iraq. He also shared stories of opportunities and success in America, serving as a witness to the possibilities of a better life outside Iraq—an idea many would begin to consider.
One person who took that risk was Yousif Shamam, a young, adventurous Chaldean who arrived in Detroit in the early 1900s via Windsor, Canada, becoming one of the first Chaldeans to do so. Yousif quickly learned English and ventured into sales. After saving enough money, he called for his brothers to join him in Detroit, where they started a business together, setting an example for future Chaldean immigrants.
Fifteen years after Yousif’s arrival, Detroit’s auto industry began booming with the advent of the assembly line and Henry Ford’s $5-a-day wages. John Joseph, one of the first Chaldeans to work for Ford, immigrated to the U.S. to take advantage of this opportunity. An article in The Sunday Chronicle, a local paper, highlighted Joseph’s story with the headline, “Man Who Was Born in Region of ‘Garden of Eden’ Now A Mechanic,” emphasizing the life-changing impact this move had for Chaldeans. Joseph had lived in a small, clay-and-straw hut in Iraq with his family of four, and in America, his life, along with many others, was transformed by this new work opportunity.
These three men exemplify why Chaldeans migrated to America. Zia sought educational opportunities in the hotel industry, Yousif aimed to start a business and bring his family over, and Joseph was drawn by the economic potential in the U.S.
Though these early Chaldean immigrants arrived before the worst waves of persecution under the Ottoman Empire and Saddam Hussein, their motivations were rooted in three enduring factors: the pursuit of better opportunities, economic stability and religious freedom, and the desire to reunite with family. During the Iran and Gulf Wars, these reasons were amplified by the promise of safety in America—something that was increasingly uncertain in Iraq. Additionally, changes in U.S. immigration laws facilitated the arrival of more Chaldeans, particularly in Detroit, as they sought to rebuild their lives.
Before Chaldean immigration to Detroit became widespread, many Lebanese and Syrian Maronite Christians had already settled in the area, establishing vibrant communities. By 1900, these communities had grown significantly, occupying a small neighborhood in downtown Detroit. The Maronites worked various jobs, from peddling to working in the city’s Eastern Market. As they accumulated savings, many opened small businesses.
The Maronites, Arabic-speaking Christians from the Middle East, were eager to help others who shared their values. Many early Chaldean immigrants became close friends with the Maronites, often working in their stores. Chaldeans attended Maronite church services, forging strong community ties that made their transition to American life easier while allowing them to celebrate their shared religious identity. Word of this camaraderie in Detroit spread back to Chaldeans in Iraq, making them more confident in their decision to move to the United States. By the 1920s, many Maronites had moved to the suburbs, but their support was instrumental in the early formation of Chaldean communities in Detroit.
In the following years, the number of Chaldeans in America remained small. It wasn’t until the 1960s, during the Kennedy administration, that U.S. immigration policy underwent significant changes, opening new pathways for Chaldeans seeking refuge and opportunity. President John F. Kennedy, whose Irish ancestors faced prejudice upon arriving in America, aimed to change that for future generations of immigrants. Though Kennedy was assassinated before he could implement these changes, his successor, Vice President Lyndon B. Johnson, along with Senator Ted Kennedy, passed the 1965 Immigration and Nationality Act.
The Act relaxed U.S. immigration laws, allowing more immigrants to come with fewer restrictions. Some key changes included family reunification and employment-based visas, equal visa allotments for all countries, and unlimited visas for skilled workers and immediate family members. This race-neutral legislation marked a significant shift in American immigration policy and had lasting effects. From 1953 to 1965, the U.S. welcomed 269,615 immigrants. In the three years following the Act’s passage—1966 to 1968 the number surged to 1,139,460, including 2,268 immigrants from Iraq.
The 1965 Immigration and Nationality Act was especially timely for Chaldeans, as Iraq was undergoing political instability following the 1958 overthrow of its monarchy. By the 1970s, Detroit’s Chaldean community had grown significantly, particularly in the Penrose neighborhood. As the community expanded, Chaldeans continued to sponsor family members to come to the U.S., a process made easier by the 1965 Act. By 1990, Detroit was home to about 60,000 Chaldeans, who had become an integral part of the city’s cultural, social, and economic fabric.
While legislative reform and community support helped fuel Chaldean immigration, it was the economic opportunities in Detroit that made the city a beacon for new immigrants. As Iraq’s economy faltered during the Iran and Gulf Wars, America’s economy was thriving. Early Chaldean immigrants had already established a foundation of economic stability in the U.S., making it less risky for new immigrants to join their families.
Many Chaldean immigrants, like the Maronites, started or bought retail businesses once they had saved enough money. By 1990, Detroit had around 700 grocery stores run by Chaldeans, many of whom were newcomers. Simultaneously, nearly every Chaldean family in Michigan had relatives in Iraq and was deeply concerned about them. As Saddam Hussein’s rule grew increasingly oppressive, more Iraqi immigrants came to the U.S., often finding work in these family-owned stores. These jobs were ideal for Chaldeans, as they didn’t require English skills—many new immigrants were not yet proficient in the language. The grocery store jobs provided stability and a safety net, knowing that they could find work without the common barriers immigrants often face.
Beyond economic opportunity, educational prospects were another pull factor for Chaldeans. American public schools offered more access to universities, and Chaldeans appreciated the secular environment that allowed their children to retain their ancestral language and faith. Though education was a smaller factor in immigration, it was deeply connected to a larger reason: religious freedom.
The First Amendment guaranteed the right to freedom of religion, an essential factor for the Chaldean community. Back in Iraq, their religion was often persecuted, but in the U.S., it was not only tolerated but celebrated. Many Chaldeans were able to establish their own churches, with St. Ephrem being the first Chaldean church in America, founded in 1904 in Chicago. The first Chaldean church in Detroit, Mother of God, was built in 1948, marking the community’s religious and cultural presence. These churches offered services in Sureth rather than Arabic and provided a sense of community and continuity. Sociologist Mary Sengstock notes that, “identification with the Chaldean religion and language remains strong, even among those who no longer speak the ancestral language,” highlighting the importance of religious identity for Chaldeans in the U.S.
The pull factors for Chaldean immigration—such as Maronite assistance, immigration reform, economic opportunities, educational prospects, and religious freedom—are often viewed as separate influences. However, they are interconnected by the phenomenon of “chain migration.” According to geographer Paul Boyle, this occurs when “the migration of an initial stream of people often encourages the migration of a second group,” typically family or friends who arrive later.
In the case of the Chaldeans, chain migration extended beyond economic opportunity. As the community in Detroit grew, new immigrants were drawn not just by the promise of jobs but by the chance to preserve their culture. Detroit became a place where Chaldeans could find safety, freedom, and a strong sense of belonging—a place that offered not just opportunity, but also a community to call home.
The journey of Chaldean immigration to the United States is a demonstration of the enduring pull factors of opportunity, safety, and cultural preservation. From the early pioneers like Zia Atala and Yousif Shamam to the wave of immigration spurred by the 1965 Immigration and Nationality Act, Chaldeans sought more than just economic success—they sought a place where they could thrive, reunite with family, and practice their faith freely.
The supportive communities they found in Detroit, alongside the broader political and economic changes in the U.S., created a welcoming environment that allowed them to flourish. Today, the Chaldean community stands as a strong example of resilience, demonstrating how immigration is not just about crossing borders, but about building new lives, maintaining cultural ties, and contributing to the rich tapestry of American society.
Captions:
Mother of God Church in Southfield, established in 1948 and consecrated in 1980.
J. Najor & Sons Photography was one of the Chaldean businesses that lined
7 Mile Road in Chaldean Town.